System and method for managing gaming events

ABSTRACT

A system may include data stores and a gaming information provider. The data stores may be operable to store first, second and third monetary values received from an input interface operable by a host at an event location. The first monetary value may include a value of game chips purchased by a player. The second monetary value may include a value of game chips collected by the host. The third monetary value may include a payout to the player based on a value of game chips redeemed by the player. The gaming information provider may be embodied as computer executable instructions on a computing device. The gaming information provider may be configured to receive the first, second and third monetary values from the data stores and may be operable to determine a proceeds-value based on the first, second and third monetary values and generate an accounting report including the proceeds-value.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/330,932, filed on May 4, 2010. The entire disclosure of the above application is incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD

The present disclosure relates to a management system and method, and more particularly to a system and method for managing information for a gaming event.

BACKGROUND

This section provides background information related to the present disclosure and is not necessarily prior art.

Gambling and casino-type games such as poker, roulette, and blackjack, for example, are popular forms of entertainment. Casino-type gaming events can be hosted to raise money for a variety of charitable organizations and/or causes. In such events, participants may play one or more casino-type games in an effort to win money from the event host. The event host may donate some or all of the money raised from such an event to one or more charitable organizations and/or causes.

SUMMARY

This section provides a general summary of the disclosure, and is not a comprehensive disclosure of its full scope or all of its features.

In one form, the present disclosure provides a system that may include one or more data stores and a gaming information provider. The one or more data stores may be operable to store first, second and third monetary values received from an input interface operable by a game host at a gaming event location. The first monetary value may include a value of game chips purchased by at least one player. The second monetary value may include a value of game chips collected by the game host. The third monetary value may include a payout to the at least one player based on a value of game chips redeemed by the player. The gaming information provider may be embodied as computer executable instructions on a computing device. The gaming information provider may be configured to receive the first, second and third monetary values from the one or more data stores and may be operable to determine a proceeds-value based on the first, second and third monetary values and generate an accounting report including the proceeds-value.

In another form, the present disclosure provides a system that may include computer executable instructions on a computing device configured to receive a plurality of first monetary values, a plurality of second monetary values, and a plurality of third monetary values from an input interface. The computer executable instructions may be operable to calculate a proceeds value based on the pluralities of first, second and third monetary values and to transmit an accounting report to a control authority based on the proceeds value. Each of the pluralities of first monetary values may include a value of game chips purchased by a respective one of a plurality of players. Each of the plurality of second monetary values may include a value of game chips collected by the game host during a respective one of a plurality of scheduled chip rakes. Each of the plurality of third monetary values may include a payout to a respective one of the players based on a value of game chips redeemed by the player. In some embodiments, the computer executable instructions may be configured to generate and transmit a second report to the control authority to facilitate an audit.

In another form, the present disclosure provides a computer readable medium having computer executable instructions for directing a computing device to execute a method of managing casino-type gaming event. The method may include inputting a first monetary value into the computing device. The first monetary value may be associated with money received from a game participant for participation in the casino-type gaming event. The computing device may be in communication with a gaming information provider. The first monetary value may be saved in a first data store in communication with the gaming information provider. A second monetary value may be input into the computing device. The second monetary value may be associated with an amount of game chips redeemed by the game participant. The second monetary value may be saved in a second data store in communication with the gaming information provider. An accounting summary of the casino-type gaming event may be determined by the gaming information provider based on the first and second monetary values received from the first and second data stores, respectively. The gaming information provider may generate a report based on the accounting summary.

In another form, the present disclosure provides a system and method for managing a gaming event is provided that may include the steps of providing a computing device that may have at least one processor configured to execute a plurality of instructions. The computing device may also include at least one machine-readable medium on which the plurality of instructions are stored. At least one input interface is linked to the computing device.

The method may include the steps of providing one or more computing devices (e.g., a gaming information provider, one or more electronic data storage devices, an input device and/or an output device) that has at least one processor configured to execute a plurality of instructions. The method may also include inputting the type of game, inputting data and cash values of game chips purchased and redeemed, storing the inputted data and cash values, calculating a desired characteristic, storing the calculated characteristic, and outputting the desired characteristic in a selected format. The method may also include recording, tracking and/or auditing transactions of game hosts, charities, and/or other parties, worker lists, worker compensation amounts, and/or charity application processes.

The computing device may be a laptop or portable type computer or may be a workstation included in a specific location. The plurality of instructions may be stored on the machine-readable medium of the computing device and/or may be accessed by the computing device via a web page or other portal. The computing device and associated event data may be linked to other computing devices and may be accessed by various authorized entities. The computing device may be linked through the Internet or World Wide Web and may communicate with a server or other such component. Authorized personnel may have access to this information via the Internet or other electronic means. Various communication protocols such as wireless and wired type communication systems could be utilized.

The computing device may be linked to one or more remote servers and/or databases that provide a backup to information entered and stored on the computing device. In this manner information entered into the computing device may be stored and accessed by various authorized entities such as the control authority, the game host, or an equipment supplier. The data and information during a game event may be updated real-time to the server or database and allows authorized users to access the information from a remote location at any time.

The inputting step may include entering various information into the computing device through various pages that are accessible on the computing device. A control characteristic may be provided that will allow or disallow certain inputting and/or outputting steps. The control characteristic may be based on various regulations provided by a control authority and may also be based upon best practices for running a charity casino game. The control characteristics may vary based on any applicable government regulations and/or a type of game being played. Various information may be entered into the system by a user (e.g. the game host) such as a game for which a player is buying-in, a predetermined minimum or maximum amount for chip buy-ins, chip re-buys, and chip add-ons, a predetermined chip package, a quantity of each type of chip redeemed, a total cash value of the chips, a type of game to be played on a table, workers' hourly wages, a government-mandated maximum pay for a worker, an event license number, a charitable organization, a supplier, a location, an event start date and end date, an event duration, an override input with a room manager's or charity event chairperson's approval, fingerprint verification, confirmation prompts requesting verification of information, a room manager's approval for transactions over a predetermined amount, a rate collection identifying a collecting party, table, and amount, predetermined player payout limits, predetermined tournament payout distributions, predetermined limits on the total amount of cash received for any single charity per day, a predetermined supplier invoice amount, a form for a control authority, an input to allow access to a cash drawer, a prompt reminding to rake chips at predetermined intervals, an automated currency counter, a calendar and schedule for supplier information, cash drawer that only opens when a transaction is triggered.

In some embodiments, the system and method may provide an application process for qualifying a charity and process steps for that charity to obtain proper government approval and licensing. Requested application information may be submitted electronically using the system of the present disclosure. In some embodiments, the system may connect directly to the control authority's computing hardware and/or software system.

Further areas of applicability will become apparent from the description provided herein. The description and specific examples in this summary are intended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure.

DRAWINGS

The drawings described herein are for illustrative purposes only of selected embodiments and not all possible implementations, and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure.

FIG. 1 is a schematic representation of a gaming information management system according to the principles of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a schematic representation of a menu page generated by the gaming information management system;

FIG. 3 is a schematic representation of a game-selection page generated by the gaming information management system;

FIG. 4 is a schematic representation of a first cash-received page generated by the gaming information management system;

FIG. 5 is a schematic representation of a second cash-received page generated by the gaming information management system;

FIG. 6 is a schematic representation of a worker-information page generated by the gaming information management system;

FIG. 7 is a schematic representation of a volunteer-information page generated by the gaming information management system;

FIG. 8 is a schematic representation of a cash-collected menu generated by the gaming information management system;

FIG. 9 is a schematic representation of a rake log generated by the gaming information management system;

FIG. 10 is a schematic representation of an admission-fee page generated by the gaming information management system;

FIG. 11 is a schematic representation of a chip-redemption page generated by the gaming information management system;

FIG. 12 is a schematic representation of a prize-payout page generated by the gaming information management system;

FIG. 13 is a schematic representation of a reports menu generated by the gaming information management system;

FIG. 14 is a schematic representation of a cash-collected report generated by the gaming information management system;

FIG. 15 is a schematic representation of a chip-redemption report generated by the gaming information management system;

FIG. 16 is a schematic representation of a cash-accountability report generated by the gaming information management system;

FIG. 17 is a schematic representation of a rake report generated by the gaming information management system;

FIG. 18 is a schematic representation of a house-winnings report generated by the gaming information management system;

FIG. 19 is a schematic representation of a worker-service report generated by the gaming information management system;

FIG. 20 is a schematic representation of a cash-prizes report generated by the gaming information management system;

FIG. 21 is a schematic representation of a supplier-invoice report generated by the gaming information management system; and

FIG. 22 is a schematic representation of a control-authority-submission report generated by the gaming information management system.

Corresponding reference numerals indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views of the drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Example embodiments will now be described more fully with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Example embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough, and will fully convey the scope to those who are skilled in the art. Numerous specific details are set forth such as examples of specific components, devices, and methods, to provide a thorough understanding of embodiments of the present disclosure. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that specific details need not be employed, that example embodiments may be embodied in many different forms and that neither should be construed to limit the scope of the disclosure. In some example embodiments, well-known processes, well-known device structures, and well-known technologies are not described in detail.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular example embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting. As used herein, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” may be intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. The terms “comprises,” “comprising,” “including,” and “having,” are inclusive and therefore specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof. The method steps, processes, and operations described herein are not to be construed as necessarily requiring their performance in the particular order discussed or illustrated, unless specifically identified as an order of performance. It is also to be understood that additional or alternative steps may be employed.

Although the terms first, second, third, etc. may be used herein to describe various elements, items, portions, components, regions, layers and/or sections, these elements, items, portions, components, regions, layers and/or sections should not be limited by these terms. These terms may be only used to distinguish one element, items, portion, component, region, layer or section from another region, layer or section. Terms such as “first,” “second,” and other numerical terms when used herein do not imply a sequence or order unless clearly indicated by the context. Thus, a first element, item, portion, component, region, layer or section discussed below could be termed a second element, item, portion, component, region, layer or section without departing from the teachings of the example embodiments.

When an element or component is referred to as being “on,” “engaged to,” “connected to,” or “in communication with” another element or component, it may be directly on, engaged, connected to or in communication with the other element or component, or intervening elements or components may be present. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being “directly on,” “directly engaged to,” “directly connected to,” or “in direct communication with” another element or component, there may be no intervening elements or components present. Other words used to describe the relationship between elements should be interpreted in a like fashion (e.g., “between” versus “directly between,” “adjacent” versus “directly adjacent,” etc.). As used herein, the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.

With reference to FIGS. 1-22, a gaming information management system 10 is provided and will be referred to hereinafter as the system 10. The system 10 may facilitate recording, calculating, reporting and/or auditing financial information from a gaming event that is provided by a game host to a control authority. The game host may be or include an owner, operator, manager, and/or employee of a business or charitable organization that administers and/or operates a gaming event, for example. The control authority may be or include a local, state or federal government entity such as a gaming commission, a lottery commission, or a charitable gaming division, for example. In some embodiments, the control authority may be a charitable organization or a corporate or other business entity that controls and/or has an interest in or benefits from the game host and/or the gaming event. In some embodiments, the gaming event may be a charitable casino gaming event that may include games and/or contests such as raffles, auctions, poker, blackjack, and/or other casino-type games, for example, whereby all of or a portion of event proceeds benefit one or more charitable organizations or causes.

As shown in FIG. 1, the system 10 may include an accounting system 11, an input device 14 and an output device 16. The accounting system 11 may include a gaming information provider 12 that may be or include a point-of-sale application or computer-based program. The gaming information provider 12 may be in communication with a plurality of data stores including, for example, a cash-received data store 18, a host-earnings data store 20, a cash-out data store 22, a cost data store 24, and/or other data stores. In some embodiments, one or more of the data stores 18, 20, 22, 24 can be an internal or external memory device of the input or output devices 14, 16, for example. In other embodiments, the one or more data stores 18, 20, 22, 24 may include or be in communication with a remote or on-site server and/or other database, for example. In some embodiments, two or more of the data stores 18, 20, 22, 24 could be integrated into a single memory device or other data store.

As used herein, the term “gaming information provider” may refer to, be a part of, include, and/or be in communication with computer executable instructions on a computing device, an Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC), an electronic circuit, a processor (shared, dedicated or group) and/or memory (shared, dedicated or group) that execute one or more software or firmware programs, a combinational logic circuit and/or other suitable components that provide the functionality described herein. The gaming information provider 12 can be installed on one or both of the input and output devices 14, 16 and/or may be in communication with one or both of the input and output devices 14, 16 via a wired or wireless connection such as the Internet, for example. In some embodiments, the gaming information provider 12 and/or one or more of the data stores 18, 20, 22, 24 may operate on a cloud-based computing system. As will be subsequently described, the gaming information provider 12 may generate one or more financial reports accounting for monetary losses and/or gains associated with operation of one or more gaming events based on information input and stored in one or more of the data stores 18, 20, 22, 24, for example. The gaming information provider 12 may also display, print, save and/or electronically send the financial reports to the control authority.

The cash-received data store 18 may store one or more monetary values that may correspond to one or more chips, tokens, tickets or game credits that a game participant purchases from the game host in order to participate in the one or more games or contests. As will be subsequently described, a user (e.g., the game host) may input the one or more monetary values into the accounting system 11 via the input device 14. For example, the game host may input monetary values of game chips associated with a game participant's buy-in amount, add-on amount and/or re-buy amount for wagering during participation in an event game or tournament. If participants are charged an admission fee to enter a gaming event or game room, an amount of money that the game host receives that is attributable to admission fees may also be input into the cash-received data store 18.

The host-earnings data store 20 may store one or more monetary values that may correspond to a number and denomination of game chips that the game host “rakes” from a gaming table and/or wins from a game participant during the gaming event. For example, during a poker game, the game host may rake (i.e., collect) chips having a predetermined value at one or more predetermined times during the gaming event. Game participants that play a game such as blackjack or roulette against “the house” (i.e., the game host) may either win chips or lose chips to the house. The number of chips that the game host rakes from one or more game tables and/or the number of chips that game participants lose to the house may be input into the host-earnings data store 20 by the game host via the input device 14, for example.

The cash-out data store 22 may store one or more monetary values that may correspond to a number and denomination of chips that a game participant redeems for cash. The game host may payout cash to game participants based on the number and denomination of game chips that each participant redeems. The associated monetary value may be input into the cash-out data store 22 via the input device 14, for example.

The cost data store 24 may store one or more monetary values that may correspond to one or more costs or expenses that the game host incurs to host the gaming event. For example, the game host may rent or lease equipment such as cash registers, gaming tables and chairs, cards, and/or a physical location or site at which the gaming event is held (e.g., a bar, restaurant, banquet hall, etc.). The gaming host may also hire workers to assist in operating and/or administering the gaming event. Such workers may include game dealers, wait staff, cashiers, and/or hospitality personnel, for example. The game host may input the above costs into the cost data store 24 via the input device 14, for example.

Either or both of the input and output devices 14, 16 could be laptops computer, desktop computers, tablet computing devices (e.g., an iPad® or similar device), smartphones, personal digital assistants (PDA's), or any other suitable computing devices. The game host may operate the input device 14 during the gaming event and may input one or more of the various monetary values described above into one or more of the data stores 18, 20, 22, 24 as money is exchanged between the game host and the corresponding parties. The game host and/or the control authority may operate the input and/or output devices 14, 16 at the gaming event or at a location remote from the gaming event to display, print, audit and/or refer to various financial and/or accounting reports. This may be done during and/or after the gaming event.

With continued reference to FIGS. 1-22, operation of the system 10 and a method of managing a gaming event (e.g., a charitable casino-type gaming event) will be described in detail. As will be subsequently described, a user may input various information into the various pages on the computing device. In some embodiments, a user (e.g., a game host, supplier or control authority) may utilize the gaming information provider 12 to monitor a game event and/or monitor compliance with various regulations. Additionally, the control authority may input a query searching for specific information with regard to compliance of its regulations. These queries can be done remotely at anytime and the data from an event is updated to storage real-time.

The process or method may also include the step of selecting a desired output format. In this manner, a user may select various reports or forms, as depicted in the figures in which the information will be displayed. It should be realized that other output formats may be utilized. Various outputs can be electronically submitted to one or more individuals or entities including, but not limited to, game hosts, charities and/or other authority oversight figures or entities.

The gaming information provider 12 may determine a plurality of accounting and/or financial metrics and compile one or more of these metrics in a report. The calculating and/or determining steps may be conducted and stored as data is entered (e.g., in real-time) and/or on demand. In this manner, a continuous accounting of the various data inputs can be continuously updated and provide a real-time view of the game. Additionally, the calculating step may include manipulating the stored data in response to a query by a user.

Data that may be input into the system 10 may include monetary deposit amounts, a number of people in a tournament, a number of people in a cash game, an amount of admission fees collected, a number of tournaments conducted, a number of rakes collected, a number of re-buys, a monetary value of re-buys, a number of add-ons, a monetary value of add-ons, a monetary value of rakes collected, average monetary value of rakes collected, a monetary value of chips redeemed for cash, workers' compensation, cash received during an event, total cash transactions or cash received by a charity, names of various charities, as well as cash prize payouts.

As stated above, the data that is inputted and stored may be searched by a query and may be outputted in a selected report format as displayed in the various figures or submitted to the appropriate parties electronically. The inputs may be searched by characteristics selected from the date, time, room location, tournament type, charity, supplier, number of events, event, worker, hourly rate of a worker, worker type, hours worked, game type, table, and dealer. The characteristics allowing searching may be utilized by a charity, room manager of a charity casino as well as by businesses owning or operating such rooms as well as control authorities and provides the ability for various entities to extract information entered in a desired format. The search inputs may be outputted in a specified format such as the various reports detailed in the figures. Additional or alternative outputs or output formats may be utilized.

As stated above, the plurality of instructions may be in communication with or reside on a website that is accessible by a user and is in communication with a remote server and the computing device. Additional peripheral devices may be linked with the computing device such as but not limited to: a receipt printer, cash drawer, chip dispenser, cash dispenser, or currency counter that is linked to the computing device and provides automatic entry of currency values into the computing device in an inputting step.

Various other clients or services may be embodied on the computing device in software or hardware type devices. In one aspect, the method may include an email or messaging client that is coupled to the computing device or is sent electronically to approved personnel. The messaging client may provide various notifications to managing personnel, authority figures, or other users. Additionally, the method may include an electronic submission client that is associated with the computing device for submitting data electronically to a control authority and integrates as necessary with the receivers hardware and software system. In this manner a state or other government entity may electronically receive paperwork from a charitable casino operator or a charity complying with specific government regulations. As detailed in the figures, various specific formats may be populated from the data stored on the computing device such that a state or control authority has the ability to verify and audit the actions and transactions of a charitable casino game.

FIGS. 2-22 depict various pages and screens that may be displayed on the input device 14, for example, or other computing device to allow the game host to input information into the data stores 18, 20, 22, 24 and generate and send various reports to the control authority, for example.

FIG. 2 depicts an exemplary a main menu page 28 of the generated by the gaming information provider 12. The main menu page 28 may include a cash-received button 30, a worker/volunteer service log button 32, a cash-collected button 34, a room-admission button 36, a chips-redeemed button 38, a cash-prizes log button 40, and a control form button 42. The game host or other user may select one of the buttons 30-42 based on a function that the user desires the system 10 to perform.

For example, the user may select the cash-received button 30 when a game participant is buying chips. After selecting the cash-received button 30, the gaming information provider 12 may cause a game-selection page 44 (FIG. 3) to be displayed. The game-selection page 44 may include a plurality of buttons including a first game button 46 and a second game button 48, for example. The user may select an appropriate one of the first and second game buttons 46, 48 to cause a respective one of first and second cash-received pages 50, 52 (shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, respectively) to be displayed on the input device 14. As will be subsequently described, the user may input a monetary value of chips purchased by the game participant at the first and/or second cash-received pages 50, 52. The monetary value of the chips purchased may be saved in the cash-received data store 18.

The first game button 46 and the first cash-received page 50 (FIG. 4) may correspond to a first game at the gaming event such as a tournament poker event, for example. The first cash-received page 50 may list one or more predetermined types of tournament games available for participants to play at the gaming event. The user may select a game that the player is going to play from a display box 54. Then user may select an appropriate one or more of a tournament buy-in tab 56, a first tournament add-on tab 58, a tournament re-buy tab 60 and a second tournament add-on tab 62 based on what the game participant is buying chips for. Based on the tabs 56-62 selected by the user, the gaming information provider 12 may calculate a payment amount due from the participant based on predetermined tournament values. Also, if a room admission is accessed, the program user will select an “Add Admission” tab 64 and enter a monetary value associated with any room admission fee. Based on the items selected by the user, the program will add the selected items together and this total is displayed in the cell 66 labeled “Total Amount”. The user also may also have the option to enter the player's name if appropriate. Once all the information is selected and verified by the user, the user may then select a “Paid and Record” tab 68 to log the transaction.

If, at the game-selection page 44, the user selects the second game button 48, the gaming information provider 12 may cause the second cash-received page 52 (FIG. 5) to be displayed. The second cash-received page 52 may list one or more predetermined types of games available to be played in a display box 70. The user may selects which game in the display boxy 70 that the player will play. Once the game is selected, the program populates a table 72 in the middle of the page (game, minimum, maximum, small blind, large blind, and description). These values may be predetermined and may be entered by the game host or other parties on a website that can be accessed at anytime. This website may be synced to the gaming information provider 12 and/or the input device 14.

The user may then input a monetary value corresponding to an amount of chips that the player is buying in for in a box 74. Once the amount is entered, the user may select the “Paid and Record” tab 76 to record the transaction. If the amount entered is less than the minimum or more than the maximum, an error screen may appear notifying the user that the amount is invalid. This is a control characteristic that may ensure that the player is buying in for the allowed amount of money.

If, at the main menu page 28, the user selects the worker service log 32, the gaming information provider 12 may cause one of a first service log page 78 (FIG. 6) and a second service log page 80 (FIG. 7) to be displayed. The user may switch between entering worker information and volunteer information by selecting a corresponding tab 82, 84.

On the first service log page 78, the user may log in a worker. The worker can be an employee of the supplier or gaming host or a volunteer from the charity, for example. The worker's names may be manually entered or preloaded in the website and synced to the gaming information provider 12 and/or the input device 14. To select the proper worker being logged in, the user may select a drop down menu 86. The user may then select the appropriate name. The name may appear in a matrix 88. The program may automatically “lock-in” a time that the name is selected and display the time in the matrix 88 based on an internal clock of the input device 14. The same process is used when a worker is leaving and needs to “sign-out”. If compensation is appropriate, the “Compensation” cell in the matrix 88 may populate automatically based on a time worked and a predetermined hourly wage. This predetermined hourly wage may be entered into the website and synced to the gaming information provider 12.

On the second service log page 80, the user may enter a worker's or volunteer's name, title, and or other information. When the worker's or volunteer's information is properly entered, the user can select a save button 90. In some embodiments, the gaming information provider 12 may be configured not to allow a transaction to be recorded for any one individual worker if the transaction is outside of an allowable range of monetary value and/or time range.

If, at the main menu page 28, the user desires to record a chip rake or other chip collection, the user may select the cash-collected button 34, the gaming information provider 12 may cause a cash-collected menu page 92 (FIG. 8) to be displayed. The user may select a room location using a drop down menu 94. The program may display icons 96 representing different gaming tables based on predetermined games and tables that are at the gaming event. These tables and the types of games played at each table may be entered for a given gaming event on the website. The user then selects the icon 96 corresponding to the table that a chip rake or other chip collection was taken from.

Selecting one of the icons 96 may cause a rake log 98 (FIG. 9) to be displayed. In the rake log 98, the user may select an appropriate volunteer or worker that collected the rake based on the volunteers and/or workers that displayed in a drop down menu 99. The list of volunteers and/or workers in the drop down menu 99 can be the same as the workers and/or volunteers that were signed-in using the procedure described above. The user may also select a game that is being played at the selected table using the drop down menu 100. The program user may then enters a number of each type of chip collected. The color and value of each chip is automatically populated based on predetermined values entered into the website. The program user may enter the number of each color chip collected in a table 102. The program then calculates a total monetary value of the chips raked based on the number of chips collected and a value per chip. The user may then select a submit button to record the transaction and save the transaction in the host-earnings data store 20. The amount of the transaction and a total amount of all rake or collection transactions may be displayed at fields 106, 108, respectively.

If, at the main menu page 28, the user desires to record a room admission fee collected from a participant for admission into the gaming event, the user may select the room-admission button 36. This may cause an admission fee page 110 (FIG. 10) to be displayed. The user may enters the room admission fee collected at input field 112 and select a submit button 114 to record the transaction. This value may also be saved in the cash-received data store 18.

If, at the main menu page 28, the user desires to record a monetary value of chips that one or more game participants redeems for cash, the user may select the chips-redeemed button 38. Selecting the chips-redeemed button 38 may cause a chip-redemption page 116 (FIG. 11) to be displayed, which includes a table 118. A chip color and value of each chip may be automatically populated in the table 118 based on predetermined values entered into the website. The user may enter the number of each color chip collected in the appropriate cell of the table 118. The gaming information provider 12 may then calculate a total value based on the number of chips collected and the value of each chip and display the total value on the chip-redemption page 116. If the user does not want to enter the quantity of each chip collected, and only wants to enter the total value, the user can enter the total value of the chips in an override box 120. Once the total value of the chips redeemed is entered, the program user then selects a submit button to record the transaction and save the monetary value in the cash-out data store 22.

If, at the main menu page 28, the user desires to input and calculate prize payout information, the user may select the cash prizes button 40, which may cause a prize-payout page 122 (FIG. 12) to be displayed. The user may select which event tournaments or other contests will have cash prizes paid out to winning players from menu 123. Once a tournament or contest is selected, a total amount collected during the gaming event may be automatically imported from the host-earnings data store 20 and displayed in a box 124. The user then can enter desired distribution amounts for first, second and third place winners in fields 126, 128, 130, respectively. A total payout amount may be calculated and displayed in field 131. The gaming information provider 12 may then determine a payout percentage automatically based on the amount paid to each player divided by the total amount collected. The respective payout percentages may be displayed in fields 132, 134, 136, 138. In some embodiments, the user may enter the payout percentages, and the gaming information provider 12 may calculate and display the distribution amounts. The amounts displayed in fields 126-138 may be saved in the cash-out data store 22.

If, at the main menu page 28, the user desires to view various gaming control forms and/or reporting forms and/or transmit these forms and/or reports to the control authority, the user may select the control form button 42. Selecting the control form button 42 may cause a reports menu 140 (FIG. 13) to be displayed. From the reports menu 140, the user can check a status of a current or previous event, and/or select, generate and/or transmit various forms and reports that may be submitted to comply with government regulations. The reports menu 140 may include a plurality of buttons, such as a master control sheet button 142, a chip-redemption button 144, a cash-accountability button 146, a financial-statement button 148, a rake log 150, a no-rake log 152, a worker-service log 154, a cash-prizes log 156, and an invoice button 158.

If the user selects the master control sheet button 142, a cash-collected report 160 (FIG. 14) may be generated by the gaming information provider 12. The cash-collected report 160 may include an itemized summary of cash proceeds in a table 162 and a control total at a field 164. The itemized summary and control total values may be determined by the gaming information provider 12 based on information stored in the cash-received data store 18 and the host-earnings data store 20. The user may select a time period over which the itemized summary and control total are determined by selecting a start date and time and an end date and time at pull-down menus 166, 168, respectively. After selecting a desired time period, the user may select a generate-report button 170 to update the table 162 and field 164 for the selected time period. The user can choose to display the cash-collected report 160 in PDF format by selecting a PDF button 172.

If, at the reports menu 140, the user selects the chip-redemption button 144, a chip-redemption report 174 (FIG. 15) may be generated by the gaming information provider 12. The chip-redemption report 174 may include an itemized summary of chip-redemption transactions (e.g., transactions in which a game participant redeems one or more chips in exchange for cash) in a table 176 and a total chip-redemption value at a field 178. The itemized summary and total chip-redemption value values may be determined by the gaming information provider 12 based on information stored in the cash-out data store 22. The user may select a time period over which the itemized summary and total are determined by selecting a start date and time and an end date and time at pull-down menus 180, 182, respectively. After selecting a desired time period, the user may select a generate-report button 184 to update the table 176 and field 178 for the selected time period. The user can choose to display the chip-redemption report 174 in PDF format by selecting a PDF button 186.

If, at the reports menu 140, the user selects the cash-accountability button 146, a cash-accountability report 188 (FIG. 16) may be generated by the gaming information provider 12. The cash-accountability report 188 may include an itemized summary 190 of all money received by the game host and all money paid-out by the game host for a particular gaming event and/or over a particular time period based on information from one or more of the data stores 18, 20, 22, 24. The user may select a time period over which the itemized summary and total are determined by selecting a start date and time and an end date and time at pull-down menus 192, 194, respectively. If the game host brought cash to the gaming event for making change, for example, the user may enter the amount of this cash in a first start-cash field 196. After selecting a desired time period, the user may select a generate-report button 198 to update the table 176 and field 178 for the selected time period. The user can choose to display the cash-accountability report 188 and/or the itemized summary 190 in PDF format by selecting a PDF button.

The itemized summary 190 may include a second start-cash field 200, an control total field 202, a chip-redemption total field 204, cash-prizes total field 206, a total cash payout field 208, a first game-proceeds field 210, a raffle-sales field 212, a raffle-prizes field 214, a raffle-proceeds field 216, a game-ticket-sales field 218, a game-prizes field 220, a second game-proceeds field 222, a cash-proceeds field 224, a third start-cash field 226, a workers' compensation field 228, a calculated deposit field 230, an actual-deposit input field 232, and a discrepancy field 234. The second and third start-cash fields 200, 226 may be automatically populated with an amount input by the user into the first start-cash field 196.

The gaming information provider 12 may populate the control total field 202 with a total monetary value for the selected event or time period based on information received from the cash-received data store 18 and the host-earnings data store 20. This value may correspond to a total amount of money that the game host takes-in during the event or time period.

The gaming information provider 12 may populate the chip-redemption total field 204 with a total monetary value for the selected event or time period based on chip-redemption total received from the cash-out data store 22. This chip-redemption total may correspond to a total monetary value of cash paid to game participants for redeeming chips during the event or time period.

The gaming information provider 12 may populate the cash-prizes total field 206 with a total monetary value for the selected event or time period based on based on chip-redemption total received from the cash-out data store 22. This monetary value may correspond to a total amount of money that the game host paid to game participants for prizes for a particular game (e.g., the first, second and third place prizes for tournament winners).

The gaming information provider 12 may populate the total cash payout field 208 with a total monetary value for the selected event or time period based on a sum of the values in the chip-redemption total field 204 and the cash-prizes total field 206. The gaming information provider 12 may populate the first game-proceeds field 210 with a monetary value determined by subtracting the amount in the total cash payout field 208 from the amount in the control total field 202.

If raffle tickets are sold during the gaming event, the user may input a total amount of raffle ticket sales in the raffle-sales field 212. The user may also input a monetary value associated with prizes awarded to purchasers of the raffle tickets in the raffle-prizes field 214. The gaming information provider 12 may populate the raffle-proceeds field 216 with a value corresponding to total proceeds from the raffle(s) during the event or time period by subtracting the amount in the raffle-prizes field 214 from the amount in the raffle-sales field 212.

If any additional game tickets are sold during the gaming event, the user may input a sales amount and prizes amount in the game-ticket-sales field 218 and game-prizes field 220, respectively. The gaming information provider 12 may populate the second game-proceeds field 222 with an amount determined by subtracting the game-prizes field 220 from the game-ticket-sales field 218.

The gaming information provider 12 may populate the cash-proceeds field 224 with a value determined by adding the values in second start cash field 200, the first game-proceeds field 210, the raffle-proceeds field 216, and the second game-proceeds field 222. The workers' compensation field 228 may be populated with a total amount of money paid to workers that worked at the event or during the selected time period. The gaming information provider 12 may receive the total amount of money paid to the workers from the cost data store 24.

The gaming information provider 12 may populated the calculated-deposit field 230 with a value determined by subtracting the amounts in the third start-cash and workers' compensation fields 226, 228 from the cash-proceeds field 224. The user may manually count an amount of cash (e.g., an amount of cash left in cash registers, deposit locations, etc.) after all cash has come in and been paid out. This actual cash value may be input by the user in the actual-deposit input field 232. The gaming information provider 12 may then calculate a difference between the calculated deposit and the actual-deposit fields 230, 232 and populate the discrepancy field 234 with this value.

If the amount in the discrepancy field is not zero, this may be an indication of one or more errors made by the game host or its employees when recording cash received and paid-out during the event or selected time period. A value that is not equal to zero may prompt the game host and/or the control authority to conduct an audit of the game host's operation and/or accounting of the gaming event. It will be appreciated that the contents and/or configuration of the itemized summary 190 may vary from that described above and shown in the figures depending on applicable regulations of an applicable control authority.

The user can choose to display the itemized summary 190 in PDF format by selecting the financial statement button 148 on the reports menu 140 (FIG. 13). The gaming information provider 12 may generate the itemized summary 190 on a specified form 236 (FIG. 22) that may comply with regulations and/or policies of a government entity or other control authority having and interest in and/or jurisdiction over the gaming event. The gaming information provider 12 may automatically input certain information into the government form in addition to the itemized summary 190. For example, the government form may include government logos and/or government letterhead, a name, identification number, and/or license number for the organization running the gaming event (e.g., the game host). The form 236 may also include the event date, and spaces 237, 239 for signatures of the game host's record keeper, chairperson, and/or other responsible or interested parties. Some government entities or other control authorities may require the gaming host to submit the form 236. It will be appreciated that the contents and/or configuration of the form 236 may vary from that described above and shown in the figures depending on applicable regulations of an applicable control authority. In some embodiments, the system 10 may electronically transmit the form 236 and/or any other forms, reports, pages or other information that is displayable by or saved by the system 10.

If, at the reports menu 140, the user selects the rake log button 150, a rake log report 238 (FIG. 17) may be generated by the gaming information provider 12. The rake log report 238 may include a table 240 having an itemized summary of chip-rake transactions, a time of each transaction, a person who conducted each transaction, and a total monetary value associated with the chip-rake transactions. The information in the table 240 may be determined by the gaming information provider 12 based on information stored in the host-earnings data store 20. The user may select a time period over which the itemized summary and total are determined by selecting a start date and time and an end date and time at pull-down menus 242, 244, respectively. After selecting a desired time period, the user may select a generate-report button 246 to update the table 240 for the selected time period. The user can choose to display the rake log report 238 in PDF format by selecting a PDF button 248.

If, at the reports menu 140, the user selects the no-rake log button 152, a no-rake log report 250 (FIG. 18) may be generated by the gaming information provider 12. The no-rake log report 250 may include a table 252 having an itemized summary of chips distributed to and collected from game participants at a game table such as a blackjack table, for example. The information in the table 252 may be determined by the gaming information provider 12 based on information stored in the cash-received data store 18 and/or the host-earnings data store 20. At menu 253, the user may select a particular table for which the table 252 the itemized summary and total will apply. The user may select a time period over which the itemized summary and total are determined by selecting a start date and time and an end date and time at pull-down menus 254, 256, respectively. After selecting a particular table and a desired time period, the user may select a generate-report button 258 to update the table 252 for the selected table and time period. The user can choose to display the no-rake log report 250 in PDF format by selecting a PDF button in the manner described above.

If, at the reports menu 140, the user selects the worker-service log button 154, a worker service report 260 (FIG. 19) may be generated by the gaming information provider 12. The worker service report 260 may include a table 262 having a summary of workers' names, job titles, compensation amounts, and dates worked. The information in the table 252 may be determined by the gaming information provider 12 based on information stored in the cost data store 24, for example. The user may select a time period over which the summary applies by selecting a start date and time and an end date and time at pull-down menus 264, 266, respectively. After selecting a desired time period, the user may select a generate-report button 268 to update the table 262 for the selected time period. A total workers' compensation amount (e.g., a total amount paid to all workers during the event or time period) may be displayed at field 269. The user can choose to display the workers' compensation report 260 in PDF format by selecting a PDF button 270.

If, at the reports menu 140, the user selects the cash-prizes log button 156, a cash-prizes report 272 (FIG. 20) may be generated by the gaming information provider 12. The cash-prizes report 272 may include a table 274 having an itemized summary of the prizes awarded to game participants during a particular event of time period. The information in the table 274 may be determined by the gaming information provider 12 based on information stored in the cash-out data store 22, for example. The user may select a time period over which the summary applies by selecting a start date and time and an end date and time at pull-down menus 276, 278, respectively. After selecting a desired time period, the user may select a generate-report button 280 to update the table 274 for the selected time period. A total cash-prizes amount (e.g., a total amount all cash prizes awarded to game participants during the event or time period) may be displayed at field 282. The user can choose to display the cash-prizes report 272 in PDF format by selecting a PDF button 284.

If, at the reports menu 140, the user selects the invoice button 158, a supplier invoice report 286 (FIG. 21) may be generated by the gaming information provider 12. The supplier invoice report 286 may be an itemized summary of supplier products and services purchased for one or more gaming events. The supplier invoice report 286 may include one or more fields date and description fields 288, 290 that may be populated with dates of gaming events and supplier services, sales and/or rental descriptions that are input by the user. The supplier services, sales and/or rentals may include rental of the building or physical location of the gaming event, rental or purchase of gaming tables and equipment, rental of cash registers, and/or other products and/or services to facilitate the gaming event.

The supplier invoice report 286 may also include one or more proceeds fields 292, one or more expenses fields 294, one or more supplier rate fields 296, one or more transaction amount fields 298, and a total amount field 300. Each of the proceeds fields 292 may be populated with a monetary value corresponding to a difference between cash received by the game host during a corresponding event (e.g., determined from the cash-received data store 18 and/or the host-earnings data store 20) and cash paid out to game participants during the event (e.g., determined based on information from the cash-out data store 22). Each of the expenses fields 294 may be populated with a monetary values corresponding to an amount of money paid to workers and/or for location/building rentals, for example, for a corresponding event. The supplier rate fields 296 may be populated with a percentage of proceeds that a corresponding supplier charges for its goods or services. Each of the transaction amount fields 298 may be populated with an amount paid to a supplier for a corresponding transaction. For example, this amount paid may be calculated by multiplying the proceeds amount (from proceeds field 292) by the supplier rate (from the supplier rate field 296) and then subtracting expenses from the expenses field 294. The total amount field 300 may be populated with a monetary value corresponding to a sum of all of the values in all of the transaction amount fields 298 in the supplier invoice report 286. Additionally or alternatively, the value in the total amount field 300 can be saved in or received from the cost data store 24.

After inputting information into fields 288, 290, 292, and 296, the user may select a generate-report button 302 to update the supplier invoice report 286. The user can choose to display the supplier invoice report 286 in PDF format by selecting a PDF button 304.

While the accounting system 11 is described above as being configured to store records of various transactions in one or more data stores, the various reports and/or tables described above may also be stored in one or more data stores. One of more of the data stores may be accessible by the control authority, game host, and/or other users via the input and/or output devices 14, 16, for example, to support an audit of transactions and/or reports corresponding to one or more gaming events. Because each transaction and/or report may be recorded and may be transmitted to the control authority on demand, the control authority can verify and/or check the information on the form 236 for mistakes, inconsistencies and/or fraud, for example.

In some embodiments, the gaming information provider 12 may be configured to transmit one or more reports and/or transaction records via electronic mail, instant message, text or multimedia message to a mobile phone, and/or via any other form of electronic communication.

While the some of embodiments of the present disclosure are described above as being associated with gaming events that benefit one or more charitable organizations and/or causes, in some embodiments, the system 10 may be utilized and/or customized for gaming events and/or organizations that are unrelated to charitable causes. Furthermore, the various reports and input fields described above may be customized and/or varied from the reports and input fields described above to comply with any applicable government and/or other organizational regulations and/or policies.

The foregoing description of the embodiments has been provided for purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the disclosure. Individual elements or features of a particular embodiment are generally not limited to that particular embodiment, but, where applicable, are interchangeable and can be used in a selected embodiment, even if not specifically shown or described. The same may also be varied in many ways. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the disclosure, and all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the disclosure. 

1. A system comprising: one or more data stores operable to store first, second and third monetary values received from an input interface operable by a game host at a gaming event location, the first monetary value including a value of game chips purchased by at least one player, the second monetary value including a value of game chips collected by the game host, the third monetary value including a payout to the at least one player based on a value of game chips redeemed by the player; and a gaming information provider embodied as computer executable instructions on a computing device, the gaming information provider configured to receive the first, second and third monetary values from the one or more data store and operable to determine a proceeds-value based on the first, second and third monetary values and generate an accounting report including the proceeds-value.
 2. The system of claim 1, wherein the gaming information provider is configured to transmit the accounting report to a control authority.
 3. The system of claim 1, further comprising an access interface operable by a control authority at a location remote from the gaming event location, the access interface being configured to display the accounting report and the first, second and third monetary values.
 4. The system of claim 1, wherein the accounting report includes a calculated deposit amount, an actual deposit amount, and a discrepancy amount based on the calculated and actual deposit amounts.
 5. The system of claim 1, wherein the accounting report corresponds to a charity gaming event.
 6. The system of claim 5, wherein the charity gaming event includes at least one of a poker event and a blackjack event.
 7. The system of claim 1, wherein the accounting report includes a monetary value associated with a worker's compensation.
 8. The system of claim 1, wherein the gaming information provider is configured to allow an event worker to sign-in and sign-out and generate a worker service log based on times that the event worker signs-in and signs-out.
 9. The system of claim 1, wherein the gaming information provider is configured to allow a user to input and record a chip-rake amount and time.
 10. The system of claim 1, wherein the gaming information provider is configured to support an audit of the accounting report.
 11. A system comprising: computer executable instructions on a computing device configured to receive a plurality of first monetary values, a plurality of second monetary values, and a plurality of third monetary values from an input interface and operable to calculate a proceeds value based on the pluralities of first, second and third monetary values and to transmit a first report to a control authority based on the proceeds value, each of the pluralities of first monetary values including a value of game chips purchased by a respective one of a plurality of players, each of the plurality of second monetary values including a value of game chips collected by the game host during a respective one of a plurality of scheduled chip rakes, each of the plurality of third monetary values including a payout to a respective one of the players based on a value of game chips redeemed by the player, the computer executable instructions being configured to generate and transmit a second report to the control authority to facilitate an audit.
 12. The system of claim 11, wherein the accounting report includes a calculated deposit amount, an actual deposit amount, and a discrepancy amount based on the calculated and actual deposit amounts.
 13. The system of claim 11, wherein the accounting report corresponds to a charity gaming event.
 14. The system of claim 11, wherein the accounting report includes a monetary value associated with a worker's compensation.
 15. The system of claim 11, wherein the computer executable instructions are configured to allow an event worker to sign-in and sign-out and generate a worker service log based on times that the event worker signs-in and signs-out.
 16. The system of claim 11, wherein the computer executable instructions are configured to allow a user to input and record a chip-rake amount and time.
 17. The system of claim 11, wherein the control authority includes a department of a state government.
 18. The system of claim 17, wherein the computer is in wireless communication with an electronic network of the control authority.
 19. A computer readable medium having computer executable instructions for directing a computing device to execute a method of managing casino-type gaming event comprising: inputting a first monetary value into the computing device, the first monetary value being associated with money received from a game participant for participation in the casino-type gaming event, the computing device being in communication with a gaming information provider; saving the first monetary value in a first data store in communication with the gaming information provider; inputting a second monetary value into the computing device, the second monetary value associated with an amount of game chips redeemed by the game participant; saving the second monetary value in a second data store in communication with the gaming information provider; determining an accounting summary of the casino-type gaming event via the gaming information provider based on the first and second monetary values received from the first and second data stores, respectively; and generating a report via the gaming information provider based on the accounting summary.
 20. The method of claim 19, further comprising providing an output computing device configured to allow a control authority to access the report. 